November 21, 2014
by Jason Ford
Ford on Food
Personally, I don’t think blueberries are actually true blue.
They are kind of a dusty indigo colour on the outside and mainly white or pale green on the inside.
That said, they are as blue as a food is ever going to get.
Most people are unaware there are many varieties, and around the globe blueberries are known by differing names.
In northern England they are often called Whineberry, and in other parts of the UK, Whortleberries.
In America they can also be referred to as Bilberries or Huckleberries (think of Huckleberry Finn).
But in Australia we just call them blueberries.
Regardless of the species or name, blueberries are a member of the Vaccinium species.
The firm skin surrounds a soft and juicy flesh with tiny, tender seeds.
They are, on average, the size of a pea.
Blueberries taste sweet and tart and are usually eaten raw.
But they can be spectacular when baked into muffins or cooked into a fruit compote or a jam.
They are also fantastic source of vitamin C.
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Fun Ideas For Blueberries
Here are some great ideas for using blueberries:
- Cooked into an apple pie or crumble
- Added to a fresh fruit salad
- Blended with other berries and frozen into a sorbet
- Sprinkled over hot pancakes and syrup
- Served with low fat Greek yoghurt
